The interviews are conducted by VB Contemporary's director, Vian Borchert. Besides being a multidisciplinary noted international artist. Borchert has been a writer and art critic for over a decade contributing with art articles in a national online newspaper within the U.S.A. Borchert gets called upon to cover and write reviews for major retrospectives and exhibitions in world-class American museums. Borchert is also the Art Lead / curator of the art segment for "Oxford Public Philosophy Journal" for the Turn 5 issue - "Oxford Public Philosophy" is a philosophy journal based at Oxford University, UK. The journal is a space for critically questioning what philosophy is and how we're doing it, in form and content.
Interview with Satoshi Morita
Satoshi Morita
About the artist:
Satoshi Morita was born in Fukuoka, Japan, and raised in Saga, Japan.
Satoshi is a traveling ‘Amazinist’ who seeks and continues to capture and seek "Beauty" from varying perspectives.
All of Satoshi's artwork transcends all genres. Morita continues to play with photography, painting, along with playing improvised piano through his unique, original, and self-created way. Satoshi's artwork has been exhibited in a number of international exhibitions in cities such as Venice and Istanbul.
Tell us about your "Beginnings", how did you start your artist journey? How did your childhood influence your creative career path? And, how is your beginnings / childhood "Reflective" within your work?
It all started when I was painting for fun with my son. I had always liked drawing - Yet, at that specific instance I was so absorbed in the act of drawing that afterwards, I noticed that my son had left while I was so in-tuned in the art making process.
Then I started drawing more and more. One day, I had an opportunity to show my artwork to someone I had not known for a long time. As soon as seeing one of my paintings, that person suddenly said - "Listen. You a true artist, destined to paint. I am buying this painting.” To be honest, I was very much astonished, but I took the plunge, let go of my long career job, chose a life of art, and embarked on a new path.
As for my childhood, I grew up in a wonderful nature oriented environment, with mountains, rivers, beautiful skies, and a wide variety of plants and animals.
In nature - I could see "something” that was truly remarkable. That ”Something” DID EXIST there…
Hence, I am pretty sure that this amazing nature encouraged me to nurture such sensitivity. This sense is what unconsciously works for me when I paint, and it is what allows me to create that special "something" in my work. That’s how I feel.
KAME
Walk us through your day from morning till evening along with your creative process? What does a day for "Satoshi Morita" look like? Where do you find inspiration in the area by which you reside? And, What does "Summer" mean to you? Let us know what is your favorite Summer activity?
In the morning, when my daughter wakes up she also wakes me up - Although most of the time, I still would like to continue sleeping! Seeing my daughter living each day to the fullest with her innocence and just being, makes me feel that I also want to be the same way. This stance is very important in my creation.
Every day, I drive along the seaside road in a relaxed mood towards my studio. When I arrive, I drink a cup of coffee and look out the large windows and take in the view.
I don't try to force myself to paint; I just relax until my body starts to move on its own. Once I start drawing, I always find myself painting till midnight.
I think that my neighborhood is one of the areas in Japan that strongly evokes the image of summer. The view of the ocean and Mt. Fuji from my studio along with another small mountain, the lush greenery in front of me, the ever-changing colors of the sky, the chirping of the birds, and everything in between inspire me.
Summer is my favorite season. I always have vivid memories of running around as a child. It gives me the impression that the past, present, and future can easily intersect somehow. My favorite activities are relaxing by the sea and the streams. And of course, fireworks.
As an artist, what have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career? And, what have been your best achievements for you personally and professionally? Who are your favorite artists and why do you find their art captivating?
I have not had enough of an art-career to list my biggest challenge as I am a budding artist and the undertaking of an art path is still at its beginnings for me. Nevertheless, If I have to mention one thing that requires much effort, it is international shipping! Furthermore, art terminology is a challenge as well as I am still learning my way through.
In regards to achievements, while this might contradict with the earlier part is that I have received numerous exhibition proposals and my work has been displayed in a number of places around the world already. I find that it is difficult to decide which one to choose among the invitations. Nevertheless, I am very pleased that I encounter so many opportunities since my decision of becoming an artist.
My favorite artists are Leonardo da Vinci and Katsushika Hokusai.
Leonardo is captivating not only for his paintings, but also for the way he transcended genres and blazed his own path with extraordinary quality in everything he did.
As for Hokusai, it is no exaggeration to describe his spirit of playfulness in regards to his paintings as madness. I find him refreshingly crazy, and that is why I find him captivating.
Both artist, Leonardo da Vinci and Hokusai, were looking for that "something.” That aspect of mysteriousness is a common point in their work. And this is the reason why I find them fascinating.